Cape Town vs Madrid vs Sofia

Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 4,617,560 6,578,0179 1,270,169
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Moderate High
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September - November April-June, September-October
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1549 $2498 $1289
Rent $618 $1174 $567
Groceries $129 $175 $10
Dining out $269 $313 $227
Cafe $32 $51 $27
Coworking space $151 $196 $140
Mobile internet $27 $10 $10
Public transportation $55 $78 $30
Taxis $21 $44 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $19 $54 $18
Museums and sights $15 $20 $12
Nightlife $43 $82 $82
Gym $36 $44 $23
Yoga $56 $142 $62
Massage $30 $64 $29
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow